Conversations in blogs about cognitivism and learning theories in general are abundant. The two conversations linked below are examples of fascinating discussions in 2007 on cognitivism and behaviorism among three important thinkers: Bill Kerr, Stephen Downes, and Karl Kapp. While the discussions are several years old, the issues and questions they raise are still relevant today. http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html
Theories highlight the reasons we do things by explaining the evolution supporting the processes. I believe ~isms are important to get a big picture that would best serve the learners of today. If our view is narrow, we do not reach all the students. A well-versed educator provides a multifaceted learning environment playing on many theories to attract the attention of the students interests.
Curriculum should be a living, growing, changing plan based on reflection, analysis, and synthesis. Change can raise engagement through creativity. Input of imagination sparks inspiration which leads to innovation.
I agree with Bill Kerr's relevance placed on ~isms. His idea of cherry picking (Kerr, 2007) from the ~isms rings harmoniously with my willingness to infuse change to build engagement through creativity. We need to feed the imaginations of learners, including our own.
Kapp, K. (2007) Kapp Notes | Yearly Archive | 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2010, from http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/page/27/
Kerr, B. (2007) Bill Kerr: _isms as filter, not blinker. Retrieved December 25, 2010, from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
Omi
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I'm having trouble with "Theories highlight the reasons we do things by explaining the evolution supporting the processes." Driscoll says theories explain why things occur and predict future occurrences. (p.4) Is not the process of knowing the learning theory itself? I think I need to go make more coffee....
ReplyDeleteLaurie,
ReplyDeleteI think everyone is posting their ideas in relation to evolution. Being a science person I love the relationship between these ideas and evolution. The idea with evolution is to understand that although we do not know everything, it doesn't mean we know nothing. And as we learn more, it does not mean that what we knew was wrong, but that we now know better.
Nice Job.
I think learning theories are a lot like history lessons. Learn from the past and build a better future. The discussions bring this full circle in that there is no real right or wrong answer - just many variations one can chose from.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you talk of -isms and the theories behind them as explanations of learning environments and the way educators should be well versed in them to better serve their students.
ReplyDeleteHow do you cope with the one-size-fits-all agenda of NCLB and the push by administration to teach to the test when you are trying to use differentiation?